Are you at risk of forming an alcohol addiction? If these signs ring true, you may be at risk.
Alcohol addiction is one of the biggest addictions in the UK, in terms of popularity. Alcohol is readily available on our shelves and is sold to anyone who is of age and not already inebriated. With such lax rules on the availability and sale of alcohol, it’s no wonder that England and Wales sport an estimated 586,780 dependent drinkers.
Alcohol is Commonplace in the UK
With alcohol addiction so widespread, it has become commonplace in our lives. We now associate it with having a good time out with friends, going to the club, or even with a weekend or evening spent quiet at home. It is this relaxed, accepting perception of alcohol which does the most damage. We are not taught to fear it as we are taught to fear other drugs. Instead, it is assumed as an ordinary part in life.
The culture we live in doesn’t idolise drinking and alcohol, but it does make it seem ‘cool’ from a young age. British teenagers start drinking as early as they can get their hands on it. Reports have claimed that as many as half of all British children have already tried alcohol before the age of 14. A recent report from the BBC claims that 1 in 10 teenagers have tried hard drugs, and that University College London reported half of all 17 year olds had experienced binge drinking. And all of this even though alcohol purchases in the UK are illegal for under 18s.
With so many youngsters already arriving in adulthood with extensive knowledge of and experience with alcohol, it’s no wonder that addiction rates are out of control.
Are You at Risk of Drinking Too Much?
Here are some signs to look out for, if you think you (or your teenager) is drinking too much.
You regularly drink alcohol
If you drink alcohol frequently, more than three times a week, for example, you are at risk of developing an addiction. Even if the times are infrequent, or if you are only drinking on weekends. Those who only drink one or two beers might still fall within the limits of recommended weekly unit guide as set out by the British government (14 units). It is the regularity of the drinking which might lead you to depend on it.
Over time, we will need more alcohol to achieve the same small buzz we get when we drink. The number of units we consume will increase with regular drinking, as we take more and more to have the same effect. You can learn how to keep a drinks journal to keep track of units in our pages. You can also find a good sobriety calculator there, that will encourage you to monitor what you drink.
You get Withdrawal Symptoms when you Stop Drinking
If, after reading the first point, you decide to stop drinking for a while, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. If these become too much to bear, then get in touch. We can recommend several 7 day detox and rehab programs that can guide you away from addiction and allow you to enjoy alcohol in moderation again.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms to look out for include:
- Shaking and sweating
- Feeling nauseous
- Losing your appetite
- Being unable to sleep
- Intense cravings
If you regularly feel these symptoms at work on a Monday morning, it might be that you need to take action.
You turn to Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
The most dangerous way to drink is by using it as an emotional crutch. If you are drinking to drown your feelings, you will never the find answer. You must deal with the feelings that make you drink, or you will end up with an addiction. Drinking to forget makes you forget more than just your problems.
What Can I Do if I Am Drinking Too Much?
If you suspect you are drinking too much, you have lots of options. Call us for a free consultation on stopping drinking and rehab clinics. You can reach us on 0203 955 7700 or you can read about treatments for alcohol addiction on our website. We can give you all the information you need to help you avoid an addiction, or to help you pick up the pieces.
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